Are BTECS, level 2 qualifications, really considered equal to GSCES?

[Noyesno]

We need to draw up a shortlist of GSCE options. The school also offers some BTECS, level 2 qualifications, and advises these are considered equal to GCSEs.

But looking further down the line - at 6th form/A Levels/university etc - are they really? They weren't considered equal in my day.

I'm not being judgemental, I am simply curious.

Depends what you mean by "equal". Sixth forms (for example) will consider them to be equal in terms of entry criteria. More academic GCSEs (for example maths) don't have a BTEC equivalent, so from that perspective, you'll need to get the GCSE.

They are not equal but they can be excellent qualifications for the right child in the right subject.

A subject such as music or drama for example. The Btec is more practical and is an excellent foundation for someone wanting to go onto a performance based course. However if someone is wanting to study music more academically the GCSE gives better preparation in the theory.

However even for a highly academic child one Btec alongside more traditional GCSE's is absolutely fine and most 6th forms and universities accept this.

My DS’s school doubled up so they did both GCSE and BTECH in some subjects. In fact, he sat dual science GCSE in year 10, triple science in year 11 and also got a science BTECH thrown in for good measure. We like to joke that he’s got 7 Science GCSEs! It all seems a bit ridiculous and glaringly obvious that his school was just trying to bump up their year 11 stats.

Level two is equivalent to GCSE so they are the same standard.

See here: www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels#:~:text=Level%202%20qualifications%20are%3A,intermediate%20apprenticeship

They are equal and were considered equal in my day (1991 when I did mine).

A pass at level 2 is equivalent to a grade 4 gcse.

@Menomeno was that recently? I didn’t think science BTEC at KS4 existed any more.

OP it’s true that BTECs have had a bad press over the years; in the school I taught at some years ago, a student once said to me semi indignantly “I’m not doing GCSE science miss! I do BTEC!” (as in, I am not, ahem, academic). But those days are gone I would say, as BTECs now focus more on being different, not equivalent.

In other words, as an example if you want an academic, music-based exam, GCSE music is the one; music BTEC is much more practical. DD took music GCSE and everyone in her group played an instrument outside school and could read music, but the BTEC students in a parallel group mostly did not (but had other strengths). Same for sports science BTEC vs PE GCSE. The way it is assessed really suits some DC (not others tho).

As a PP says, when you do maths or eng lit or MFL or history or science (I thought anyway) it has to be the GCSE. The BTEC tends to be an option on subjects that can have a practical element.

Be aware than some unis will not accept BTECs post 16 (ie instead of A levels), tho plenty will, for example prestigious courses such as sports science at Loughborough (I know this bc a mate of DS's got on to the course with a L3 BTEC). But you are talking about KS4 when it absolutely will not be an issue.

It depends on the subject & where they fit in the student's courseplan, honestly. I think they're underutilized in practical subjects - a lot of students would be well-served to consider a mix of GCSEs in their academic subjects and one or two BTECs to provide breadth.

For the student taking 7-8 academic GCSEs and just trying to select their last option or two, yes they're generally of equivalent level. Look at the contents of the specific courses and figure out which suits/appeals most for the student.

They are equal in that a level 2 pass in a BTEC is equivalent to a level 4 GCSE so if a course says you need 4 GCSE passes at level 4 or equivalent then they count.

In DSs case having a BTEC in engineering was actually beneficial to him in securing his apprenticeship as it showed that he was genuinely interested in the field and had some practical experience.

@clary No not recently, it was about ten years ago.

Definitely equivalent. They're not easier, they just have different emphasis.

DD was choosing her final option and dithering between Creative Media Production BTEC and Graphic Design GCSE... I suggested she take the BTEC as it was a broader and more interesting course, and reduced the number of exams in Y11.

Turned out to be one of her favourite subjects and will probably be one of the most useful in 'life after school'.

She's now looking at L3 Extended BTECs for 6th form and only Oxbridge seem to be against those in her subject... and they don't offer a course that would suit her anyway. Looking at other degrees that would, all of them are happy to accept BTEC in place of A levels.

One or 2 BTECs for a child heading for A levels absolutely fine.

At 6th form Level 3 Extended Diplomas are being replaced by T-Levels mainly which appear to be 'more academic'. However as both focus on more vocational subejcts they may be less flexible for an academic uni degree that has specific subject requirements.

At level 2 GCSEs and BTECs are 'equivalent' but definitely not the same. It depends what if anything you want to do with them next. For most it is nothing as they just ad to the number.